Nigerian Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi Jailed for COVID-19 Relief Fund Fraud in the United States

A United States District Court has sentenced Nigerian pastor Edward Oluwasanmi to 27 months in prison for COVID-19 relief fund fraud, marking a major conviction in a multi-million-dollar scam targeting pandemic support programs.

Oluwasanmi, who was arrested alongside his associate Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, was convicted for fraudulently obtaining $4.2 million through falsified loan applications under the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The pair submitted fake documents to secure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) between April 2020 and February 2022.

The COVID-19 relief fund fraud case was heard before Justice Christopher Boyko of the U.S. District Court of Ohio. According to court records, Oluwasanmi pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering.

On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the court handed down a 27-month sentence to Oluwasanmi, to be served concurrently on counts one, eleven, and twelve. In addition, he was fined $15,000 and ordered to report to the U.S. Marshal Service.

“Supervised release of three years on each of counts 1, 11, and 12, all such terms to run concurrently,” the court ruled.
“As a result of the offenses, both Edward Oluwasanmi and Joseph Oloyede shall forfeit all property—real and personal—derived from the proceeds of the COVID-19 relief fund fraud.”

One of the properties seized includes a commercial property on 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, registered to Oluwasanmi. Meanwhile, Oba Oloyede forfeited additional assets and is awaiting final sentencing scheduled for August 1.

The monarch was also accused of using shell companies—Available Tax Services Inc., Available Financial Corporation, and Available Transportation Company—to launder funds and submit fraudulent claims.

Despite fleeing his palace, the Osun State Government has held back on any punitive action against the monarch, pending the court’s final ruling.

“A person is innocent until proven guilty,” said Kolapo Alimi, Osun’s Commissioner for Information. “We’ll wait for the court’s pronouncement before acting.”

The COVID-19 relief fund fraud highlights growing concerns over international abuse of U.S. emergency aid programs. The CARES Act was created to support struggling small businesses during the pandemic, issuing grants and loans up to $10,000 to affected organizations. Fraudulent claims like Oluwasanmi’s undermine this objective and have prompted stricter oversight by U.S. authorities.

This case adds to the increasing number of Nigerians facing prosecution abroad for exploiting pandemic relief systems. The conviction of Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi for COVID-19 relief fund fraud serves as a stark warning to other potential offenders.